Art History, to me, is about delving beneath the surface of what has been popularized and going deeper into origin, truth and evidence. Raw truth and raw beauty - that is art. This is the most interesting facet of painting any given subject; understanding its origin. For me, knowing what I am painting - the history and or significance, is important. As it relates to Sunflowers, I have always liked them but was not aware of their history or who they were first used and depicted by.
Earlier while having coffee, I started thinking of Sunflowers. Being one of my favorite flowers, next to tulips and roses and pretty much every flower, I was curious of its actual history and of when the sunflower was first known to have been depicted in art and by who. Upon briefly delving into the documented history of Sunflowers, I have found some very interesting things.
The sunflower is native to both North America and Mexico. Native Americans were the first to depict sunflowers in art, using them as sources of pigment but also as a subject in their own art. Per Marion Barnes of Clemson University: ''Native Americans cultivated and used sunflowers for thousands of years, with evidence suggesting their cultivation began around 3,000 B.C. in present-day New Mexico and Arizona.''
Per The National Sunflower Association: ''The Sunflower is native to North America and was first domesticated by the American Indian into a single headed plant with great variety. The article goes on to read: ''Sunflower was a common crop among American Indian tribes throughout North America. Evidence suggests that the plant was cultivated by American Indians in present-day Arizona and New Mexico about 3000 BC. Some archaeologists suggest that sunflower may have been domesticated before corn.''
I browsed a few other places and stumbled across a blog post written by Margot Kravette, an explorer and photographer. In her ''Inspired Journeys'' blog, she writes: ''Sunflowers held significant symbolic meaning for many Native American tribes. They were often associated with the sun, harvest, and abundance.'' She also states ''Native Americans saw sunflowers as a symbol of courage. Warriors would carry sunflower cakes to battle with them or a hunter would sprinkle sunflower powder on his clothing to keep his spirit up.''
It is incredible that one flower holds so much meaning, history and significance. I am grateful to have a much clearer idea of the Sunflower's origin, while appreciating that it is rooted in significance not only in art but as a resource for early Native American tribes, including traditional medicine. There is certainly more information surrounding this topic but it would take ages to red through everything out there in its entirety.
Sources:
https://inspiredjourneys.live/journeys/sunflowers-reaching-for-the-sun
https://phys.org/news/2008-05-roots-sunflower-cultivation.html
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